Champions League 2012-13: The fifth matchday, Part II

Read Part I

Group E

Juventus-Chelsea 3-0 (Quagliarella, Vidal, Giovinco)

Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo introduced no strikers in what it had to become his last Chelsea line-up. It was Hazard, who had to replace Fernando Torres, while Azpilicueta occupied the right winger’s position. These amendments didn’t really shock Juventus, as the team, in its usual line-up, started aggressively and could score the opener pretty quickly. The Italian champions were well aware about Chelsea’s troubles in the left wing, so they were suggesting Lichtsteiner runs all the time. Chelsea’s counterattacks were dangerous. The title holders, however, started to forget about these forward runs somewhere in the beginning of the second half. The main architect of the match, Andrea Pirlo, was
more or less contained by Oscar, but Juventus had Marchisio and Vidal, plus three almost idle defenders, who were good in creating dangerous attacks. This is one of the few matches, where The Old Lady forwards showed great performance and backed the hard work done by their midfielders. In general, it is difficult to say where Di Matteo made his biggest mistake. The champions of champions were simply outperformed by a side, which was much more motivated. The moral condition of the Chelsea has been the case during the whole group stage, to be honest.    

Nordsjælland-Shakhtar 2-5 (Nordstrand, Lorentzen-Luiz Adriano (3), Willian (2))

The most controversial incident of the matchday took place in
Copenhagen, where Nordsjælland was determined to take its first three points in the Champions League history. By the time the Danish champions were in front, Luiz Adriano ignored the fair-play rules and scored an equalizer the French referee was obliged to allow. Mircea Lucescu had to motivate his team for a better second half, to make the Danes forget the dirty incident. Shakhtar smashed the home side and scored three more in the second half, to book its place in the Round of 16.  

Standings:

Shakhtar 10

Juventus 9

Chelsea 7

Nordsjælland 1

Shakhtar is already in the next round. Champions of Champions League are in a big danger. They will have to win their match, and hope that Shakhtar will win over Juventus. The Italians will be secure with a single point in Donetsk. The Danish champions leave the international arena no matter what.

Next matches:

Shakhtar-Juventus

Chelsea-Nordsjæland

Intrigue: The group has been utmost intriguing from the beginning. Now the title holders are on the edge of a catastrophe. Their fans will have to cheer for Shakhtar. The most superstitious optimists recall the previous season, when The Blues were close to let an Italian team to occupy their place in the next round, but the manager change helped them survive. They might also find some information about Juventus’ previous Champions League campaign, when the team was very close to the play-offs, but not only failed to earn a point in the last match, but also suffered one of the most horrible defeats in their Champions League history.  

Group F

Valencia-Bayern 1-1 (Feghouli-Mueller)

Despite conceding first, Bayern had a huge advantage over the hosts in the match, which was more of a fight for the first place in the group. To make the things worse, Valencia was playing with 10 men since the 33^rd minute, when Barragan got sent off after two reckless tackless. But they were even close to win, had Thomas Mueller not equalized 8 minutes before the final whistle. Valencia took a point from a match it easily could be left with nothing. But that would not be a disaster, as they had already won their most important matches. The team can be absolutely satisfied with its performance in the Champions League group stage and prepare for the next round.

BATE-Lille 0-2 (Sidibe, Bruno)

Another Champions League holiday in Belarus was meant to be the last one this season. BATE lost to an obviously stronger team, which was beaten in the first matchday. Because of more away goals scored, the Belarusians transfer to Europa League, as Lille could not score the third and most important goal. The central figure of the match was Lille’s Djibril Sidibe, who scored a fantastic goal to open the score and got sent off in the second half.  

Standings:

Bayern 10

Valencia 10

BATE 6

Lille 3

Even the Europa League participant is clear from this group. Valencia will need to earn more points in the last match than Bayern, if they need to qualify from the first place, but I don’t think they are unsatisfied with their current achievement.

Next matches:

Lille-Valencia

Bayern-BATE

Intrigue: The very small intrigue left in this group is related to the match in France. Lille will try to apologize to its fans for a disastrous Champions League campaign for the second year in a row. Valencia will try to win, hoping for the first place in the group.

Group G

Spartak-Barcelona 0-3 (Daniel Alves, Messi (2))

The teams spent a lovely first half with lots of dangerous moments. The difference between Spartak and Barcelona is that the Spanish team scores after these dangerous moments. The score was already 0-3 after the first 45 minutes. There was not much to fight for in the second half. The score remained unchained.

Benfica-Celtic 2-1 (John, Garay-Samaras)

Celtic was fully equipped to hold a draw in one of the most intriguing matches of this matchday. However, Benfica’s attack turned to be much stronger. Samaras managed to score the equalizer from a corner, but Benfica won deservedly.  

Standings:

Barcelona 12

Benfica 7

Celtic 7

Spartak 3

Barcelona and Spartak played their last meaningful Champions League match against each other two weeks ago. Everything is decided for them now. The situation is different for the other two teams. Benfica will have to earn at least as many points in Barcelona as Celtic earns in the match against Spartak.

Next matches:

Barcelona-Benfica

Celtic-Spartak

Intrigue: The super-motivated Portuguese guests will have to show all they can to take three points from Nou Camp. It might sound impossible for them, but Tito Vilanova is surely going to leave some of his main forces on the bench. Not Leo Messi, though.

Group H

Galatasaray-Manchester United 1-0 (Burak Yilmaz)

The crazy Ali Sami Yen Sport Complex was hosting the slightly modified Manchester United squad. Such a side was what the Turkish champions with Fatih Terim on charge could more or less handle. By the end of the match the home side advantage got obvious and the team managed to score. There is only one player who scores for Galatasaray in this Champions League. His name is Burak Yilmaz.

Cluj-Braga 3-1 (Rui Pedro (3)-Alan)

The fight of two Portuguese managers ended with the victory of the Romanian-based one. A hat trick against the Portuguese visitors was completed by the Portuguese Rui Pedro. Braga lost its most important match due to their poor defense, which also earned a stupid red card in the end of the first half, to make Braga’s comeback impossible.

Standings:

Manchester United 12

Galatasaray 7

Cluj 7

Braga 3

Manchester United and Braga have left their most important Champions League matches behind. Galatasaray and Cluj have a task to do. The Turkish team will need to earn at least as many points as Cluj, to qualify to the next round. The Romanians are heading to Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Next matches:

Manchester United-Cluj

Braga-Galatasaray

Intrigue: It is only at first glance that the last matches here are going to be boring. In fact, all four teams are going to show all they can. Manchester United is surely going to bet on their youngsters, who have to use their chance to convince Sir Alex Ferguson of a promotion to the first team. Braga was one of the most interesting teams of this group stage, so they are going to show what they are made of. So Galatasaray and Cluj cannot count on having pleasant trips.  

	League	Pts.
1 (-)	Spain (4)	41
2 (+1)	Germany (3)	32
3 (-1)	England (4)	32
4 (-)	Portugal (3)	23
5 (+-)	Italy (2)	17
6 (+1)	France (3)	16
7 (-1)	Ukraine (2)	14
8 (+4)	Romania (1)	7
9 (-1)	Scotland (1)	7
10 (+3)	Turkey (1)	47
11 (-)	Russia (2)	7
12 (-3)	Greece (1)	6
13 (-3)	Belarus (1)	6
14 (-)	Netherlands (1)	4
15 (-)	Belgium (1)	4
16 (-)	Denmark (1)	1
17 (-)	Croatia (1)	0

Topscorers:

5 – Ronaldo (Real), Messi (Barcelona), Alan (Braga), Yilmaz (Galatasaray),

4 – Oscar (Chelsea), Soldado (Valencia), Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Lewandowski (Borussia), Willian (Shakhtar)

3 Best goals of the day: We witnessed 48 goals scored in the 16 matches of the fifth matchday. Here are the best three

3. Djibril Sidibe (Lille) – getting the ball at the penalty box line, Sidibe had a second to adjust himself to a spectacular shot, hitting the top corner.

2. Lukas Podolski (Arsenal) - after getting a geniuos pass from his new partner Giroud, Podolski instantly shot with his powerful left while entering the penalty box with a quick run.

1. Phillippe Mexes (Milan) - the goal scored by Milan’s Mexes is out of competition. It might not be beaten this season. Enjoy the Frenchman’s incredible bicycle!

RANKING BEFORE THE SIXTH MATCHDAY

Place	Club
1 (-)	FC Barcelona (Spain)
2 (-)	Real Madrid (Spain)
3 (-)	Man. Utd. (England)
4 (-)	Bayern (Germany)
5 (-)	Borussia D. (Germany)
6 (+1)	Juventus (Italy)
7 (-1)	PSG (France)
8 (+4)	Shakhtar D. (Ukraine)
9 (+5)	Porto (Portugal)
10 (-)	Arsenal (England)
11 (-3)	Malaga (Spain)
12 (+1)	Schalke 04 (Germany)
13 (+3)	Milan (Italy)
14 (+1)	Valencia (Spain)
15 (-6)	Chelsea (England)
16 (+10)	Galatasaray (Turkey)
17 (+2)	Benfica (Portugal)
18 (-)	Celtic (Scotland)
19(+4)	CFR Cluj (Romania)

The ranking says goodbye to Manchester City, Ajax, Zenit, Braga, Olympiacos, BATE, Dynamo, Anderlecht, Spartak and Nordsjælland. 

Read about matchday 1, matchday 2, matchday 3 and matchday 4